Two IDF soldiers touring the Har Habyis on Israeli Independence Day were banned from future visits after the soldiers apparently saluted at the holy site.
The two soldiers, who were in uniform at the time, apparently saluted when they passed by the site of the Kodesh Hakedoshim on the Temple Mount, Israel National News reported.
At the end of the tour, the soldiers were apparently told by police they may not return to the site.
“Freedom of Jews in a Jewish state in the land of Israel requires that every citizen be allowed access to every place without any restrictions,” said attorney Haim Bleicher, of the Israeli legal organization Honenu, who is representing the banned soldiers. “It doesn’t make sense that IDF soldiers who come to the holiest site on Independence Day should be barred from entering for no reason. This restriction has no basis and we will take legal action against it.”
Under the terms of the Har Habyis status quo agreement between the Israeli government and the Jordanian-run Islamic Waqf, Jewish and other non-Muslim visitation at the holy site is restricted to certain days and times. Further, non-Muslim worship is banned at the site.
(JNS.org)
{Matzav}
